Homebuilders with lending units continue to prop up home sales by offering mortgage buydowns. The tactic cuts into homebuilders’ margins but many company officials prefer lower margins rather than unsold inventory.

Changes to the pricing grids of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac last May created a natural experiment for researchers to study how changes to guarantee fees impact the housing market.

MISMO is out with five proposals, including a tool to simplify standards adoption. Other new features include tech for credit modernization, appraisals and housing counseling.

Homebuyers appear to have become a little less honest in their loan applications. Lender beware!

Northpointe Bank could raise upwards of $200 million via an initial public offering. The bank said the IPO could help to double its warehouse lending business and increase production of a unique non-agency mortgage.

To increase already substantial market shares, nonbank mortgage companies are investing in proprietary technology for originations and servicing.

Loan originators want to see guidelines expanded for borrowers with variable sources of income.

FCC one-to-one consent rule vacated; CFPB details cash-out refi usage; RiskSpan launches MSR analytics offering; AI tool helps with mortgage applications in Spanish.

While electronic closings offer faster turn times, adoption of the technology comes with some complications. Still, the share of eNotes is expected to triple by 2028.

Recently divorced or widowed homeowners told the CFPB that mortgage servicers sometimes say they must refinance, even when they should be able assume the existing mortgage.